N'golo Kante is one of two major signings made by new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte this summer. The former Leicester star's playing style has led fans to compare him to another French midfielder who was instrumental for the Blues in the past.

TheHardTackle looks at the playing style of Chelsea midfielder Ramires and analyses how Mourinho has been using his skills in a defensive capacity this season. Signed from Benfica in 2010, Ramires was a fairly unknown quantity to Chelsea fans. Being a Brazilian, it was inevitable he would bring a certain flair and pace to the game. When they saw him in action for the first time against Stoke in the Premier League, little did they know that a man with such a small build would go on to become one of the finest midfielders Chelsea have signed recently. Bringing a new dimension to Chelsea’s play with his vision, he prides himself on his ability to cover for the defense and join the attack, when required. Playing style: Most coaches would describe Ramires as a pacy right-midfielder with lots of stamina, determination and an ability to win the ball. He is your typical box-to-box midfielder and can play anywhere in […]

Real Madrid have another Makelele and contrary to the popular belief it is not Lassana Diarra. It is Sami Khedira. In the second part of this series TheHardTackle tries to bust some myths and appreciates one of the most under appreciated players.

The position of a Central Defensive Midfielder in football has undergone a lot of changes over time and is a mandatory position in modern football. Despite being so important, why the players of this ilk do not get the credit they deserve? THeHardTackle analyses the different breeds of a central defensive midfielder and tries to highlight the role they play on the pitch.

An avid Madridista, TheHardTackle’s guest-writer Saradendu Mishra has seen his club go through various ups and downs regarding results and transfer policies. Join him as he walks down memory lane of one of world's most successful clubs and takes a look at the history of the Galacticos' era.

Real Madrid's 'Galacticos' era saw numerous stars at the club. These superstars were always in the limelight and produced some magical football. There was one player, however, who did the dirty work for them and THT's Karan Yadav believes his sale was a defining moment for Real Madrid.